- As seen on Monday’s RAW, Ric Flair made his return to WWE. His return was something that had been scheduled for a few weeks but what his role would be was changed several times. Vince McMahon himself reportedly opened lines of communication with Flair about a month ago. They even discussed doing one angle that would have introduced his daughter, NXT Diva Charlotte.

There is nothing official on the books regarding Flair but it’s believed he will be back to do a short TV angle with CM Punk. The angle would not include a wrestling match as Vince McMahon has been adamant about not violating the terms of Flair’s 2008 retirement stipulation.

There had been talk of Flair not doing physical angles because of his age and what happened with Jerry Lawler. WWE obviously had a change of heart as the angle on Monday was their idea and not something he asked for. Flair came to Philadelphia for RAW and was ordered to first undergo an EKG to make sure he was healthy enough to do something physical. WWE wants him to take more medical testing because they do have plans to use him in the future in other physical angles.

For his return on Monday, Flair was hidden away in a trailer. There was some talk backstage that he would appear but nobody saw him.

@JAck45 It killed the spontaneity of the moment when Flairs voice was heard. The pop would have been twice as big if they had have just simply played his music and have him walk out And I hate when they have Justin Roberts give a guy a long introduction instead of just playing the music and letting the fans react naturally. A big pop is one of the great things about wrestling.

JAck45

So WWE hide him from the talent but not from the fans?
All night long you could hear his WOOOS coming from the crowd, and then before the commercial break he is heard over the speakers.
Have WWE really lost the big “Surprise comebacks!” I think the last one I was actually surprised over was The rock… but even that was hinted at.